The PRWIRE Press Releaseshttps://2003-05-14T12:06:00ZAzure Wireless releases early usage patterns2003-05-14T12:06:00Zazure-wireless-releases-early-usage-patternsAzure Wireless, the leading Australian provider of wireless Internet access, has revealed usage of its Wireless Hotspots increased by 300 percent over the past month, with many users logging on daily, particularly between 2-5pm on weekdays. Early usage patterns indicate users are spending approximately 30 minutes per session and are primarily accessing corporate email. Repeat users are already emerging with some users averaging twice per week over the course of a month.
Evidence obtained by Azure Wireless suggests two of the highest usage groups to date have been consultants and real estate professionals. &quot;Consultants have been using the service between client meetings to gain access to high speed email as opposed to slow dial-up access at their client sites. It also appears that real estate professionals are using the high speed nature of the service to download multi-media presentations on potential properties to demonstrate to clients during meetings held in cafes,&quot; said David Gold, CEO and founder of Azure Wireless.
David continues: &quot;The launch of Intel's new wireless computing platform, the Centrino, has significantly boosted the use of wireless Internet access from Hotspots all around Australia. This will continue for the foreseeable future as the majority of new laptops and PDAs are shipped already wireless enabled.&quot;
&quot;More than 75 percent of users to date have been casual users paying for access using their credit card or a prepaid card, however, we expect this to decline significantly over the next six months as users look for the most cost effective and convenient access - purchasing it through their existing ISP which in most cases are Azure resellers&quot;.
Working closely with Intel, Azure Wireless is part of a joint marketing alliance that actively promotes high speed internet services and the Centrino. A number of campaigns will target customers of Azure's accredited resellers, business travellers and users of wireless-enabled laptops and PDAs.
Further demonstrating its commitment to the deployment of wireless Internet access, Azure Wireless has launched the first Hotzone in Australia. The Hotzone enables users to access Azure Wireless' service from more than 50 venues in the business district of South Yarra. This takes in the Jam Factory and Como Centre and a number of popular locations on Chapel Street and Toorak Road.
Azure's services can now be accessed from more than 100 venues across Australia. With a network now up and running in Sydney's CBD, high-speed wireless internet access is available from a number of new high profile venues including Jackson's on George, Plato's on Pyrmont and Caffe Capriccio on Kent Street.
As a result of a series of global roaming agreements, most recently iPass' global virtual network, Azure Wireless enables both local and international corporate subscribers to securely access the Internet and corporate email accounts via a high-speed broadband network at Azure Wireless Hotspots.
&quot;The recent up-take of wi-fi services in Australia has been further signified by iPass' global roaming broadband initiative, with a rollout of over 1000 Hotspots worldwide. In Australia, iPass users can access the service from all 100 of Azure's venues. Our partnership with iPass further demonstrates our strategic plan to provide high speed wireless Internet access to both local and overseas mobile workers who need connectivity in Australia,&quot; Gold concludes.
In addition to iPass, Azure Wireless has global roaming agreements with Boingo in the USA, 5G in Singapore plus a partnership with Primus Telecom's local Internet Service Provider, iPrimus, enabling Australian subscribers to access the service using their existing Internet account.
About Azure Wireless:
Azure Wireless is a privately owned company headquartered in Melbourne. It is the leading provider of the latest wireless technology 802.11 or &quot;WiFi&quot; and operates a network to provide high-speed wireless access to the Internet and corporate networks from a rapidly growing number of public venues.
Further information on Azure Wireless is available at www.azure.com.au Azure Wireless signs 5G and Boingo Wireless2002-12-10T15:56:00Zazure-wireless-signs-5g-and-boingo-wirelessAzure Wireless enables international travellers to benefit from wireless Internet access in Australia following a series of global roaming deals. The suite of deals will enable customers of 5G, Boingo Wireless and Fiberlink to wirelessly access their existing Internet accounts in Australia.
Boingo Wireless, operator of the easiest to use Wi-Fi network for business travellers with the largest collection of hotspots in hotels and airports, is a specialist global hotspot aggregator in the US that will also provide Fiberlink customers with access to Azure Wireless' network.
5G, a major operator of wireless network in Singapore, can now also offer customers seamless Internet access at Azure Wireless' rapidly growing network of Wi-Fi locations in Australia.
Azure Wireless' hotspots are situated in high profile commercial venues including hotels, cafes and convention centres in major cities. The entry into global roaming signifies its commitment to fill a growing niche in the marketplace.
These latest arrangements offer business travellers easy access to corporate email using their laptop and existing ISP account - without the need for a plug or phone connection.
&quot;The signing of these highly successful international wireless players is an acknowledgement of our commitment to pioneering the wireless marketplace in Australia,&quot; said David Gold, CEO and Founder of Azure Wireless. &quot;This furthers the strategic plan to make our services readily available to users of mobile workflow and is an aggressive move in the expansion of our network.&quot;
&quot;With Australians already using the service and with wireless Internet access becoming commonplace for employees in the US and parts of Asia, these deals demonstrate the global need for the service,&quot; Gold continued.
The Azure Wireless hotspots will be integrated into the Boingo Wireless and 5G Global roaming services rapidly. This value-add service soon to be offered to the subscribers of these organisations will simply be added to their existing ISP bill.
About Azure Wireless:
Azure Wireless has $50 million in venture capital from Hudson Conway and is headquartered in Melbourne. It is the leading provider of the latest wireless technology 802.11 or &quot;WiFi&quot; and operates a network to provide high-speed wireless access to the Internet and corporate networks from a rapidly growing number of public venues.
Further information on Azure Wireless is available at www.azure.com.au or contact.Primus Telecom and Azure Wireless unwire Melbourne 2002-09-18T19:03:00Zprimus-telecom-and-azure-wireless-unwire-melbourneAzure Wireless, the leading Australian provider of wireless Internet access, today announced a strategic partnership with Primus Telecom, one of Australia's leading telecommunications carriers. Through Primus Telecom's Internet Service Provider, iPrimus, subscribers will now be able to access their Internet accounts via a high-speed wireless broadband service at more than 50 Azure Wireless Locations.
The Hotspots currently include coverage throughout Melbourne's landmark venues and locations such as AMP's Bourke Place and Collins Place, The Windsor Hotel, and many prestigious cafes in the St Kilda Road and Melbourne's CBD areas. Azure Wireless has also established a Hotzone, which takes in several major businesses, hotels, restaurants and coffeehouses surrounding the Primus Headquarters at the intersection of King and Collins Streets.
According to David Gold, CEO of Azure Wireless, with the Network going live on the 1st October 2002, the company is set to provide the largest number of wireless hotspots based on 802.11 technology in Australia. Situated in hotels, conference venues and public meeting areas, the Hotspots will provide users with wireless Internet access from a rapidly increasing number of locations.
&quot;This is a significant deal with iPrimus and the major value lies in being able to offer wireless Internet access to its broad subscriber base and using the extensive Primus infrastructure to provide core hosting and DSL services necessary to support the service. Our Hotspots provide a real value-add service to the customers of ISPs and venue owners,&quot; commented David Gold.
iPrimus' General Manager, Campbell Sallabank said: &quot;In a very competitive marketplace and in line with our strategy of enhancing our existing offering to customers, iPrimus is always looking to expand its services. Azure Wireless provided us with a natural extension to our services that will excite customers.We are also pleased about providing the back-end infrastructure for the project&quot;.
As a result of $50 million in venture capital by Lloyd Williams' Hudson Conway, Azure Wireless is the best funded wireless player in the local market. Azure Wireless is set to become the country's leading provider of wireless technology, by offering wholesale wireless Internet access to ISPs, from strategic venues and major locations.
In addition to Azure Wireless, iPrimus' extensive range of leading quality Internet products and services incorporates prepaid Internet access kit, global Internet roaming and domain registration services.
Azure Wireless arrives at a time when, according to IDC, demand for wireless Internet is set to grow 95.1% by 2006. The suite of services is designed to meet the growing demands on ISPs and venues, whilst simultaneously providing competitive advantage and the latest in emerging mobile communications.
Established in Janaury 2001, Azure Wireless utilises the 802.11 compliant wireless technologies and will become the major infrastructure owner of the wireless Internet market in Australia as it rolls out its services nationally.
About Azure Wireless:
Azure Wireless is a privately owned company headquartered in Melbourne. It is the leading provider of the latest wireless technology 802.11 or &quot;WiFi&quot; and operates a network to provide high-speed wireless access to the Internet and corporate networks from a rapidly growing number of public venues.
Further information on Azure Wireless is available at www.azure.com.au
About Primus Telecom
Primus Telecom is Australia's fourth largest fixed-line telecommunications carrier with approximately 850,000 retail customers including over 400,000 Internet customers. The Company offers a comprehensive range of voice, data, Internet and web hosting products, servicing both residential and business sectors. The Primus network offers nationwide coverage, using it's own backbone network with facilities in 73 cities across Australia. This provides nationwide long distance competition, and local call Internet access to 97% of the population. Primus operates its own fibre network in the five major capital cities, delivering a range of business direct-connect services including ISDN, ATM and Broadband DSL. Capital investment in the network exceeds A$300 million. Global connectivity is provided through an extensive voice, IP and ATM network operated by the parent company, Virginia-based Primus Telecommunications Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRTL). In a recent survey, Primus was recognised as the fifth largest carrier of international minutes in the world. Primus Australia news and information is available at the Company's Web site at www.primustel.com.au &lt;http://www.primustel.com.au&gt;